Willard Dewey

            Q. Mr. Sergeant

            27 Ky. Mtd. Inf.

 

                        Jany 16. 1864.

 

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[clothing and equipment lists]

 

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1864                            1

June     27. Heavy cannonading along the whole line also heavy skirmishing our left flank resting on the foot of the Kenesaw Mountain near the Atlanta Rail Road.

28        weather clear not much skirmishing

29        weather cloudy slite skirmishing

30        all quiate in the front to day with a shower in the evening

July 1  The twenty third A.C. & twentieth moved out of their breast works in the direction of Atlanta, Ga. drove the Rebels about four miles. Andy Otter 1^st Sergt Co. I. killed

2          Taken with the chills and fever. Moved to the front with the wagons slite skirmishing.

 

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1864                            2

July 3  The Rebels evackuated Kenesaw Mountain Gen Thomas in full persuit with the Army of the Cumberland. The Rebs shell our works all the morning and evacuated their works in the evening our Div still in the same position proberly will not advance before morning. weather clear & extremely hot had another chill to day.

4          heavy cannonading on the left of our Div weather clear & hot took Quinine this morning but had my chill as usual.

5          Received marching orders at eight oclock this morning went one mile and wated for the sixteenth Corps to pass then went back near our old camp to stay all night. weather very hot and dry.

 

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1864                            3

July 6  weather hot & dry Left camp at six oclock and marched about six miles to the rail road seven miles below Maryetta, Ga. put up camp on the east side of R.R.

7          heavy cannonading on our right still in camp with some prospects of wresting a day or two. had an inspection of the gums report is that the men must have some vegatables weather clear & hot

8          Left the rail road at 5 A.M. and went about seven miles in a south east course went within half a mile of the Chattahoochee River. The 20^th A.C. crost over and part of the 3^rd Div 23 A.C. they captured one piece of artillery from the enemy. weather hot & dry.

 

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1864                            4

July 9  Laid in camp all day all quiate on the left flank weather hot and dry

10        still in camp had quite a hard shower all quiate

11        Left camp at 1 oclock P.M. crost over the Chattahoochee River just below the mouth of Goose Creak. had pontoons made out of cloth the troops went down the river the wagons camped at the foot of the big hill about two miles from whare we started from to day weather cloudy indications of rain

12        In camp at the same place had a nice shower to day

13        still in the same camp hot and dry

 

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1864                            5

July 14 Advanced our lines two miles or more without any skirmishing camped and threw up breast works Rebs reported four miles in our front

15        Still in camp Geo. Sexton Boston & Whitlow captured while out a forageing Bedford reported killed Col Wards and Speeds horses wer captured

16        Still in camp all quiate in the front weather dry and hot

17        Struck tents this morning at seven oclock the third Div went out in advance of ours marched three miles towards Atlanta light cannonading on our left suppose it was the fourth corps as they marched this morning

 

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1864                            6

July 17 Received a flag presented by the Ladies of Louisville on which was inscribed the Battles of Leapers Ferry Siege of Knoxville and Beans Station.

18        Left camp this morning at 5 oclock A.M. marched six miles in the direction of Decatur, Ga. past Stone Mountain on our left about nine miles camped six miles from Decatur

19        Left camp this morning six miles east of Decatur went in to Decatur found no Rebels but one Brig of Cavalry and one Regt of Infty they had a few pieces artillery throwed a few shells but we soon run them away with the six Mch Battery Rebs burned fifty wagons also left a lot of corn in sacks

 

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1864                            8

July 20 Left camp this morning in the direction of Atlanta advanced about one mile when the skirmishers commenced fireing thare has been brisk musketry fireing kept up all day thare has been heavy cannonading on our extreme right and left we have advanced two miles to day weather hot and dry. Capt John R. Fisher was killed this evening instantly.

21        Laid in camp all day within two miles of Atlanta. thare has been heavy skirmishing the whole lenth of our lines as far as we could hear. has been heavy cannonading all day. the Rebels have not made any reply to our artillery thare has been four men wounded last night and to day also Capt Hammers wounded in the thigh. had to have his leg amputated near the thigh joint

 

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1864                            8

July 22 The Rebels fell back to within one half of a mile of Atlanta last night. our men advanced this morning the Rebs have kept up a heavy cannonading in our front most of the day the Rebs mast their forces on our left which wrested near Decatur under the command of Gen McPherson he was killed erly in the engagement by a musket ball after he was killed our men the 15 A.C. fell back north of Decatur they captured part of their wagon train and six pieces of artillery the third Div of our Corps was sent back to guard our rear Will Neff was killed this evening by a bombshell taking off one half of his head John Casteel was wounded by a piece of a rail at the same time

 

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1864                            9

July 23 Light cannonading in our front and quite heavy on our right and left drew but half rations to day for the next three days weather clear & hot

24        Reported that thare was twenty of our supply wagons captured and burned by the Rebs thare has been one Battery shelling a Rebel fort to day a little to our right thare has been heavy cannonading on our left some fireing on our right weather some cooler to day.

25        Thare has been heavy cannonading to day in our front and to our right our troops hold their position within one half a mile of Atlanta. pickets put out in our rear expecting a raid from the Rebel Cavalry in our rear

 

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1864                            10

July 26 The 17, 16 & 15 A.C. moved from our left round onto our right flank 23^rd A.C. on the extreme left flank. 3^rd Div 23^rd Corps fortifyed in the rear of the Second Div to protect our rear and flank

27        Heavy cannonading during most of the forenoon in our front moved our wagons up to the front Rebs reported in our rear.

28        The Rebels opened on our Batterys about ten oclock the bombs fell most to thick to be healthy whare we was located so we had to take shelter behind whatever we could

29        heavy fighting on our right the Rebs made three charges on our breast works was repulsed every time heavy loss on their side

 

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1864                            11

July 30 still fighting on our right flank quite heavy in the evening all quiate in our front without any cannonading light shower just before sundown.

31        It has been very quiate in our front and as far on our flank as I could hear weather showery and hot

Aug 1  The wagon train left camp this evening at three oclock went about three miles twords the right camped thare all night. the whole Corps followed after dark our diches were filled with Cav and Mounted Infty just as the train was moveing out the Rebels handed over a few bomb shells to amuse ourselves with bad amusement we thought and went on.

 

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1864                            12

Aug 2  the troops commenced passing about seven oclock this morning and did not all get apast until near 12 oclock the wagon train then fell in behind the troops & went about eight miles whare they took their possition on the extream right of the army thare was one place on our road whare we could see the town quite plain our train had not been in sight long before the Rebs threw over some shell which struck right in the road between the wagons we got away from thare as fast as we could without hurrying to much.

3          Hard skirmishing in our front Co A captured twenty five Rebs on the skirmish line we lost seven men wounded slight most of them.

 

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1864                            13

Aug 4  The third Div took their position on our right this evening. the Fourteenth A.C. took their position on our right flank we are within two miles of the rail road

5          We moved up with our wagons ¾ of a mile had a light charge on our right this morning we captured two hundred prisoners our loss small One man killed in Co F.

6          Second Div had orders to march at five oclock AM this morning they were relieved by the fourteenth Corps third Div made a charge had to fall back one Brig lost heavy number not known our wagon train remained near Gen Schofields Head Qrs until late in the eve then moved up two miles

 

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1864                            14

Aug 7  skirmishing was brisk all the morning but  the Rebels made a charge on our works to our left in the evening but were hansomely repulced with heavy loss on their side. the made a nother charge about nine oclock in the night which lasted for half an hour Rebs got whiped as usual.

8          the Rebs fell back in front of our Brig our Brig closed up on them they charged one hill to day took it without much fighting all quiate to night but slight skirmishing

9          our Brig moved farther to the right

10        still remaining at the same place they have got up breast works

 

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1864                            15

Aug 11 The Brig still in the same place. we moved up with the wagons within sight of the skirmish line

12        In the same place

13        In the same place weather awful hot

14        In the same place with slight skirmishing in front

15        Troops have been moveing to our right they had some fighting on the right to day Reb sharp shooters shot one ball through our tent comeing prety clost to some of our heads had a nice shour this evening splendid night for sleeping. Col Ward started home on a sick leve for twenty days talk of consolidating with 20 Ky

 

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1864                            16

Aug 16 still in camp at the same place The Reb skirmishers have been throwing over into our wagon yard a few extra balls they shot one of our mules.

17        In same place slight skirmishing herd to day that Forest had torn up fifteen miles of our rail road between Ackworth and Dalton. soon will be in runing order

18        In same place heavy cannonading in our front and on our right 3^rd Div moved to our right this morning thare is going to be a change made in our base of opperations

19        still at the same place all of our Div went ought on our right with some other Brigs from the fourth Corps

 

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1864                            17

Aug 19 our Brig was left to hold the works of our Div in the evening a bomb bursted in one of our cannon bursting it open the Rebs threw one shell strikeing one of our casons and burst in it blowing up seventy pounds of powder

20        Capt B F Pumphrey resigned and started home to day

20        in same place slight skirmishing in our front

21        In same place quiate in front rain & hot

22        In same place heavy cannonading on our left pickets made an agreement not to shoot exchanged papers also tobacko for coffee when the Rebs got orders to shoot the told the boys to get in their holes

 

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1864                            18

Aug 23 In same place Rebs friendly as ever.

24        In same place considerable cannonading in front of our Brig first Sergt of Co A wounded thare was five or six wounded in 123 Ind Regt. Orders to send back all the men not able to stand a long march Maj Magruder was orderd ten days ago to report to his Regt in ten days by order of Gen Schofield

25        In same place all quiate on the skirmish line

26        In same place the fourteenth Corps move back on our left and went into our new works we are under orders to be ready to march at any moment sent one wagon back to the Chattahoochee we to go dont know whare

 

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1864                            19

Aug 27 Fell back to a new line of works about a quarter of a mile in our rear our wagons were brought up within fifty yards from of our breast works threw a few shells at ous & quit

28        The fourteenth Corps moved out at day light this morning our wagon train moved out at sun rise we went about five miles to our right within five miles of the Montgomery Rail Road and four miles from Eastpoint Station.

29        Moved about one mile and a half in the direction of the rail road weather hot and dry

30        we camped within three miles of the Montgomery R Road we moved up to & crost the road with our

 

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1864                            20

Aug 30 wagon train the road had been torn up for thirteen miles the rails were all torn up and het by the fire from the tyes and bent in all shapes we are on the extreme left of the army we are going for the Macon Road dont find any Rebs worth noticeing on our rout weather hot and dusty. cool nights.

31        Left the rail road this morning in the direction of the Macon Road not much skirmishing we went about five miles through a sandy country but quite level we past several houses with familyes living in them we found plenty of good water. during the night we herd considirable cannonading on our right

 

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1864                            21

Sept 1^st Left camp this morning at daylight moved out about two miles directly on a line with the old Rebel works halted waterd our mules and wated for orders to move out started out at 11 Oclock went during the day seven or eight miles the fourteenth A.C. had a fight with the Rebs captured between nine & ten hundred most of the was Kentucky troops got ten pieces of cannon the fight was within one mile of Jonesboro on the rail road. It was reported this morning that the Rebs had evackuated Atlanta dont think it was so hard fireing in that direction

 

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1864                            22

Sept 2  Camped four miles of Jonesboro last night left this morning at eight oclock went to Jonesboro stoped for two hours then started down the rail road we past through the town it has about one thousand inhabantants we are tareing up the road as fast as we go all the Cittizans left town but one or two famileys went about four miles beyond Jonesboro and camped the fourth Corps had some fighting found the Rebs strong in our front.

3          Laid in camp all day had considerable cannonading slight skirmishing. Reported that Atlanta fell into our hands yesterday with seven thousand prisoners

 

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1864                            23

Sept 4  In same place not much fighting some talk of going back to Atlanta.

5          Started back in the direction of Atlanta went back six miles going two miles beyond Jonesboro driving most of the night had very hard rain just before dark.

6          went about one mile and camped all day and night some skirmishing on our right no cannonading.

7          Left camp this morning at six oclock we marched about fourteen miles and camped just at dark five miles from Atlanta thare is a good many famileys falling back with our wagon train got the news to day that John Morgan was killed

 

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1864                            24

Sept 8  Left camp at daylight for Decatur got thare at 12 oclock with the understanding that we camp here until we get rested from the fatigue of our late campaign Received a heavy mail for the first in two weeks our rail road is cut between Chattanooga & Nashville by Gen Wheeler

9          In camp expect to move

10        move back about two hundred yard to the woods

11        In camp got very good quarters

12        In camp weather hot & dry

13        In camp           "          "

14        Our Brig went to see the town of Atlanta for which they have been fighting so long for I rode over most of the town found most of the houses on the west side badly torn up by shell most

 

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1864                            25

Sept 14 of the Cittizens and nearly all of the male portion was gon. thare was some women and children left to the mercy of the yanks. from the apperance of the place it must have been a good buisness place before the war. it is about the size of New Albany Ind the Rebs destroyed eighty cars loaded with amunition and three locomotives they also burned down a large foundry they left in town twenty seven pieces of Artillery most of them siege guns.

15        In same place expect to move up a little in the field

16        moved our camp about fifty yards towards town in a pine grove

 

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1864                            26

Sept 17 In camp same place Dr Heston returned to the Regt

18        In camp weather cool

19        In camp rain

20        In camp cloudy

21        In camp raining most of to day

22        In camp           "          "

23        In camp. George Sexton returned to camp from the Rebel prison by exchange had been in prison at Andersonville (Georgia) for two months

24        In camp weather rainey

Sunday

25        In camp nights very cold. It is reported that the up train from Atlanta was captured with Col Stricklin aboard

26        In camp no mail

27        In camp weather clear

28        In camp    do     cloudy

29        In camp

30        "          "

 

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1864                            27

Oct 1^st             Saterday

"          In camp. very warm & showery within the last two days thare has five or six men come up from the rear. Our wagons went out forageing yesterday near Stone Mountain in returning Capt Vanblarkum stoped to get his supper and was shot in the hip by bushwhackers it is thought he will die from the wound

2          Sunday

"          2^nd Div went out to Stone Mountain forageing found a few Rebel Cavalry supposed they picked up a few of our straglers

3          Received orders this morning to be ready to march at one P.M. the General was sounded and assembly blown then the order was countermanded

 

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1864                            28

Oct 4   sent one of our bagage wagons to Atlanta last night our Corps moved this morning at daylight we left Decatur on the same road that we come in when we captured it (on 19^th July) leaveing Atlanta about three miles on our left the weather has been showery and hot country tolerable level, mostly wooded we marched to the Chattahoochee River ariveing thare at one oclock in the night camped on the north side of the river. part of the rail road bridge had washed away was replacing it as fast as possible.

5          Crost the Chattahoochee River this morning at daylight laid on the north bank til 11 oclock A.M. Crost the R Road at Roweth Station past through Maryetta camped three

 

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1864                            29

Oct 5   miles from thare near the foot of Kenesaw Mountain.

6          Left camp this morning went to within one mile of Big Shanty and camped for the night.

7          Moved up with the wagons about four miles to whare the troops camped last night the first Brig & three Regts of our Brig went out on a reconersance came back to the same place and camped at the old place

8          Left camp at four P.M. three miles from Ackworth past through Ackworth took up the rail road past through the Altona pass six miles above Ackworth

9          Sunday

Laid in camp all day near Altoona went over to town and saw the wounded Rebs that was wounded on the 4^th at the fight here

 

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1864                            30

Oct 10 Left camp at Altona Pass marched six miles crost the Ettawa River got dinner went in to Cassville to camp

11        Left camp at Cassville Ga went to Kingston Ga took the road leading to Rome went three miles beyond Kingston & camped for the night. Received a large mail the first for about two weeks.

12        Left camp this morning went to Rome Ga camped near the town.

13        23 A.C. went out on a reconersance with a Div of Cavalry captured two pieces of artillery & about fifty prisoners it is reported that forty wagons were taken also the troops come back to their old camp to stay to night

 

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1864                            31

Oct 14 Left camp at Rome Ga this morning in the direction of Calhoun Ga marched ten miles and camped

15        Left camp this morning past through Calhoun Ga came on up the rail road to Resaca went one mile beyond the town & camped Rebs reported at Dalton Ga weather dry & pleasant marching

Sunday

16        Left camp this morning took the road leading through Snake Creak Gap went about nine miles & found the road blocked up by fallen trees

17        Laid in camp to day at the forks of the Laifett & Londen roads about ten miles from Londen Rebs reported going back south with all of their army

 

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1864                            34

Oct 28 We received orders to be ready to march at three oclock P.M. something got wrong with the pontoon which crost the Coosa River and we did not cross until after dark we went about half a mile & camped for the night with orders to march at daylight

29        Left camp this morning at 6 A.M. Marched about sixteen miles in the direction of Rome (Ga) our Cavalry had a fight with the Rebs near Tarapin Creak (Ala) found them in force and had to fall back had some killed & several wounded. Roads have been very bad to day

 

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1864                            35

Oct                  Sunday

30        Left camp this morning at daylight past through a small town by the name of Cave Spring (Ga) five miles from the Ala line marched to within two miles of Rome on the south side of the Coosa River & camped for the night

31        Left camp this morning at daylight and marched to within six miles of Calhoun (Ga) & camped for the night

[margin] Col Ward came to ous to day 31 Oct

Nov 1  Left camp this morning at half past five P.M. we past through Calhoun from thare to Racasa (Ga) marched six miles from thare and camped for the night. Rained all night and cold

 

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1864                            36

Nov 2  Left camp this morning at daylight marched to Dalton (Ga) past through the town half a mile and stoped to get dinner & issue rations the third Div came up here & camped to wait for transportation on the cars we camped at this place all night near Dalton (Ga)

3          Left camp this morning marched to Ringold Ga crost the Chickamauh River & camped for the night weather wet & cold

4          Left camp this morning marched to within one mile of Chattanooga Tenn & camped

5          Laid in camp all day been warm & plesant all day

 

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1864                            37

Nov 6              Sunday

Laid all day weather rainey

7          Our Brig left here for Nashville this evening on the cars they took most of their bagage on the cars with them the teams were left to go through on the dirt road

8          We moved our teams inside of the Niger Pickets they wont alow ous to go out side to get wood or water without a pass from the Provost Marcial

9          still in park at Chattanooga Tenn.

10        still in park

11        Received an order to turn in our teams & the 20^th & come on to Ky to join the Regt expect to start in the morning

 

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1864                            38

Nov 12 Got on the train at Chattanooga for Nashville went fifteen miles and the train in front of ous run off the track two men hurt Laid thare all night until eleven next day.

Sunday

13        started on for Nashville this morning & rode all day & all night cold as thunder

14        got into Nashville Laid here all day

15        Left Nashville for Louisville got here at three in the morning

16        The Regt got into town on the eleventh still here waiting orders

 

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1864                            39

Nov 17 Still in Louisville waiting orders we expect to be orderd to Munfordville to guard the post thare weather cloudy

Dec 13 Left Louisville Ky for Munfordville Ky Left Louisville at six PM got to Munfordville at two A.M. on the 14^th went into quarters at the barracks near the town. Col Ward took Comd of the Post on the 15 Lt Sands appointed Provost Marcial

1865

Jan 6    Received orders to day to start from Munfordville for Owensboro Ky by the shortest land rout Col Ward dispached to Gen Eweing to have ous

 

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1865                            40

Jan 6    sent by way of Louisville

7          Left Munfordville Ky for Louisville Ky this evening at six oclock on the cars got into Louisville at two oclock on the morning of the eight dont know now whare we will go or how long we will stay here. Sent one hundred men to camp chase with prisoners.

10        Received orders this morning to start for Owensboro Ky at five oclock P.M. on bord of the Steamer Grey Eagle

11        We landed at Owensboro Ky at eleven oclock A.M. thare was quite a number of Rebs in the town when we landed. we captured three guerrillas wounded two & one Citizen which had good deal of simpthy for

 

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1865                            41

Jan 11  the South. we got several of their horses & saddles. The Rebels left the town without contending for it at all they fired but one or two shots & thoes to no affect.

12        It was reported this evening that thare was three hundred Rebs out on the Litchfield Road four miles from here & that they was going to make a dash upon the town to night.

13        All quiate along the line this morning a few of the Rebs have been seen prowling about but none ventured to come within gun shot of the pickets no reports this evening we sent out a scout under Pulliam has not returned.

 

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1864[sic]                     42

Jan 14  Left Owensboro Ky on bord Steamer Grey Eagle at two & one half oclock P.M. Arrived in Evansville Ind at 5½ oclock P.M. went direct from the Packet to the Quartermasters office. the Capt was not thare I saw his clerk he said he would either send the forage or write by the next boat. Took supper at the Washington Hotel poor grub. got transportation to and from Evansville waitted until half past one oclock for the Packet

15        Left Evansville at half past three this morning for Owensboro arrived here at eight oclock Speed went to Louisville

 

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1865                            43

March 15 Our soujourn in Owensboro Ky has drawn to a close, to night we start for Louisville (on the steamer Morning Star) to be mustered out of Service But I must say that our stay in Owensboro Ky has been a very plesant one, the Sitizens have all treated ous kindly as we could ask to be treated by any one. the boys are all very anxious to get out of the service, & I must say that I am one of the number. Wm. D. Givan & myself published the 27^th Ky Sentinel for six weeks worked us to hard & we quit

 

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                                    44

Mar 17 Arrived in Louisville the Regt took Quarters in No 1 Barracks

18        The Regt turned over their guns

Mar 29 Regt mustered out of service

Apr 1      "       paid off.

SOURCES